The wide receiver position requires speed, agility and strategic tendencies in the NFL that is predicated on passing. The NFL is brimmed with highly-talented pass catchers from all 32 teams but in this article, the five best receivers in the league are ranked and analyzed.
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions)
Amon-Ra St. Brown was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft out of USC by the Detroit Lions and has since established himself as one of the best pass catchers in the league.
St. Brown had a highly productive 2022 season by garnering 106 receptions on 146 targets (72.6 percent) and 1,161 receiving yards. The Detroit Lions receiver was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2022.
The former USC wideout is the first receiver in NFL history to record eight-plus catches and a touchdown in six consecutive games. St. Brown is going to be a staple in the Detroit offense as they aim to claim an NFC North division that is relatively weak compared to previous years.
4. Stefon Diggs (Buffalo Bills)
Stefon Diggs is one of the most consistent receivers in the entire football league based on his yearly numbers. Since 2018, Diggs has produced five consecutive 1,000-plus yard seasons.
Diggs is credited for aiding the development of quarterback Josh Allen. The two of them have become one of the prominent quarterback-receiver duos in the NFL. The former Viking was elected to three consecutive Pro Bowls (’20-’22) and has shown no sign of slowing down as he turns 30 in November.
3. Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders)
Davante Adams is a top three wideout in the NFL and that is due to his consistent on-field play throughout his nine-year NFL career. The three-time first team all-pro member is coming off a prolific 2022 campaign. He led the NFL in touchdown receptions (14) and also racked up 1,516 receiving yards (ninth in the league) with an average of 15.2 yards per catch (career high) in 2022.
The Las Vegas wideout will be an essential asset in the welcoming of new Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the offense heading into 2023.
2. Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins)
“Cheetah” is perhaps the fastest player in the NFL and keeps every defense cautious every Sunday afternoon. Hill was a first team all-pro selection in 2022 by tallying 119 receptions (ranked second) for 1,710 receiving yards (ranked second and career high) along with seven touchdowns.
Hill is known for his quickness and the ability to stretch the field due to his speed and agility. His attributes allow him to get behind defensive backs which leads to big yardage plays. Hill is currently the highest paid wideout in the league and his on-field production back it up.
1. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings)
Justin Jefferson’s 2022 campaign is one of the greatest statistical seasons ever for a wide receiver in the NFL. In 2022, Jefferson garnered 128 receptions along with 1,809 yards, and was named the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year (one of only four wideouts to win the award).
Furthermore, Jefferson was a first team all-pro for the first time in 2022 and at the young age of 24, the former LSU Tiger is just getting started on a potential Hall of Fame career.
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Featured image courtesy of NFL.com